John Jones says of his photo, "I did take photos of the ex-SP coach at Delta Junction. It will be on the west side of the Richardson Highway just north of where the Richardson and Alcan Hwys split in town. It won't be hard to find if you are looking for it. There is a Texaco station on the west side and is about 100 yds north of it"

Art Chase [5/20/005]: "Just got back from another whirlwind work project around the state. But the cool part is that I found a couple lost ARR souls. ARR Bi-level 602 has grown some rubber wheels and is now residing in Homer as the ultimate travel trailer. She sits next to the spit at Homer and from what they tell me there, is used at this swap meet gathering lot. Picture is end of March.

"ARR bi-level 601 was a surprise I found yesterday in Delta Junction (hopefully preparing the area for the day when ARR rails arrive there!!!) She is setting just off the highway at a travel lodge with ARR 1751 troop car. Both are less truck or tires. 601 had suffered some damage and there is no doubt when the railroad retired her."

Ex-troop sleeper #1571E has found a home next to #601. Sherman Stebbins says of his photo, "Someone sent you a picture of retired 601 already. It is on your site. I will send you another. The same people bought another car that I can't identify. It is sitting right behind the 601. I will take some pictures and send to you. A family bought them from Alaska Railroad. Their last name is Ecohawk. I think they were going to turn it in to a restaurant but nothing transpired. Its been sitting here in town empty for about 5 years now."

Bi-level #601, January 25, 2015

Back on Track
Delta Wind
October 23, 2014
By Carole Hass

Anyone who has driven through town has noticed the Alaska Railroad car parked on blocks next to Kelly's Alaska Country Inn. The train is part of Alaska's history and used to run from Whittier to Anchorage years ago. The railcar was retired in 2001.

When Yvonne Echo-Hawk purchased the railcar in 2004, she had plans to turn it into a restaurant or other small business. With Deaths and illnesses in the family over the years, the project had been put off.

After a few years, she contacted R&S Railworks, a railroad contract company out of Fairbanks, to purchase tracks for the car. Echo-Hawk waited for nearly three years for delivery. The wheels and tracks were finally delivered on October 3.

The 70-gauge tracks are from the Panama Canal, produced by Illinois Steel. One set of tracks was manufactured in 1899, the other in 1918. Echo-Hawk was full of excitement as she watched the transition, and many passers-by stopped to see what the buzz was about.

Echo-Hawk admitted that her railcar finally being laid on the tracks was motivating, and she could not wait for the possibilities the coming spring has to offer.

In the meantime, she hopes to decorate the railcar for Christmas. She explained that she would love to see the car transformed into a restaurant, offering simple foods that her hotel guests at Kelly's would appreciate.

With winter approaching (it was actually snowing the day the wheels and trucks were delivered), any serious plans are on hold until spring comes. Echo-Hawk did say that she was open to ideas for plans regarding the railcar.

Just what does it take to knock over a bi level commuter? 70 to 80 mph direct side winds ! Bad wind storm here the other day. The bi level commuter sitting here on the highway was blown over. Feel sorry for the owners. They just paid a small fortune to get it on trucks and rails 2 years ago. It will take another small fortune to get the 100,000 lbs upright again. Sherman Stebbins, 12/15/17

This page was last updated 2/13/18